Generally, I agree with the sentiment. However, over the years I have submitted to enough competitions and gotten close, ie, either a runner up or second place that I have to believe there is some validity to them. Thus, I'll probably always submit to comps, though with occasional ambivalence. (And I usually only mention shortlists and runner ups in my cover letter bio). And for me, it's usually a good feeling I get from this recognition, and a sense of pride in my work. Never do I think of it as an opportunity to besmirch another writer. Cheers!
My issue is this sense of value. I have been a runner up, and I have been long listed, but it seems so arbitrary. We are pitted against each other for something that is supposed to be artistic. The ‘Winner’ receives some sense of glory that they were picked from other people, but that doesn’t make anyone less talented, nor is the ‘Winner’ better than anyone.
Generally, I agree with the sentiment. However, over the years I have submitted to enough competitions and gotten close, ie, either a runner up or second place that I have to believe there is some validity to them. Thus, I'll probably always submit to comps, though with occasional ambivalence. (And I usually only mention shortlists and runner ups in my cover letter bio). And for me, it's usually a good feeling I get from this recognition, and a sense of pride in my work. Never do I think of it as an opportunity to besmirch another writer. Cheers!
My issue is this sense of value. I have been a runner up, and I have been long listed, but it seems so arbitrary. We are pitted against each other for something that is supposed to be artistic. The ‘Winner’ receives some sense of glory that they were picked from other people, but that doesn’t make anyone less talented, nor is the ‘Winner’ better than anyone.